Minnesota’s population shift: What’s driving the change?
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Based on a report by Kelly Asche & Marnie Werner, Center for Real Policy and Development
Minnesota is undergoing major demographic shifts, with declining birth rates, rising death rates, and migration patterns shaping the state’s future.
A recent report from the Center for Real Policy and Development examined these trends, shedding light on where people are moving, why they relocate, and what this means for Minnesota’s long-term growth.
At a webinar on March 13, Senior Researcher Kelly Asche joined experts Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota Extension, Eric Guthrie from the Minnesota State Demographic Center, Erik Osberg from Otter Tail County’s Rural Rebound Initiative, and Allison Liuzzi from Minnesota Compass to discuss the findings.
Why This Research Matters
Population changes are directly impacting workforce availability, with employers across both rural and metro areas struggling to find workers. Many believe that population decline is driven primarily by outmigration, but the reality is more complex. Declining birth rates and increasing death rates play a much larger role.
COVID-19 accelerated conversations about migration, and Minnesota is uniquely positioned to study these patterns. Research goes beyond tracking where people move, and explores the motivations behind these shifts as well.
Minnesota’s Population Growth Is Slowing
For decades, Minnesota has seen steady population growth, but recent data suggests this trend is plateauing and could begin declining by 2035....
